As the craze of earnings season draws to a close, here’s a look back at some of the most exciting (and some less so) results from Q4. Today, we are looking at life insurance stocks, starting with Unum Group (NYSE: UNM).

Life insurance companies collect premiums from policyholders in exchange for providing a future death benefit or retirement income stream. Interest rates matter for the sector (and make it cyclical), with higher rates allowing insurers to reinvest their fixed-income portfolios at more attractive yields and vice versa. Additionally, favorable demographic shifts, such as an aging population, are driving strong demand for retirement products while AI and data analytics offer significant opportunities to improve underwriting accuracy and operational efficiency. Conversely, the industry faces headwinds from persistent competition from agile insurtechs that threaten traditional distribution models.

The 13 life insurance stocks we track reported a slower Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 3.7%.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 8.5% since the latest earnings results.

Weakest Q4: Unum Group (NYSE: UNM)

Tracing its roots back to 1848 when financial security for workers was virtually non-existent, Unum Group (NYSE: UNM) provides workplace financial protection benefits including disability, life, accident, critical illness, dental and vision insurance primarily through employers.

Unum Group reported revenues of $3.25 billion, flat year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 1.1%. Overall, it was a disappointing quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ book value per share estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

“In 2025 we executed on our strategy, delivered for our customers, and drove disciplined operational performance. Additionally, we materially improved the risk profile of the Closed Block, and returned significant capital to our shareholders,” said Richard P. McKenney, president and chief executive officer.

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 3.7% since reporting and currently trades at $72.83.

Read our full report on Unum Group here, it’s free.

Best Q4: Jackson Financial (NYSE: JXN)

Spun off from British insurer Prudential plc in 2021 after more than 60 years as its U.S. subsidiary, Jackson Financial (NYSE: JXN) offers annuity products and retirement solutions that help Americans grow and protect their retirement savings and income.

Jackson Financial reported revenues of $2.01 billion, up 719% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 4.4%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Jackson Financial delivered the fastest revenue growth among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 6.9% since reporting. It currently trades at $108.89.

Is now the time to buy Jackson Financial? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Equitable Holdings (NYSE: EQH)

Tracing its roots back to 1859 as one of America's oldest financial institutions, Equitable Holdings (NYSE: EQH) provides retirement planning, asset management, and life insurance products through its two main franchises, Equitable and AllianceBernstein.

Equitable Holdings reported revenues of $3.74 billion, down 5.2% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 4.4%. It was a softer quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates and a miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Equitable Holdings delivered the slowest revenue growth in the group. As expected, the stock is down 12.3% since the results and currently trades at $39.27.

Read our full analysis of Equitable Holdings’s results here.

Aflac (NYSE: AFL)

Known for its iconic duck mascot that has quacked "Aflac!" in commercials since 2000, Aflac (NYSE: AFL) provides supplemental health and life insurance policies that pay cash benefits directly to policyholders for expenses not covered by their primary insurance.

Aflac reported revenues of $4.28 billion, flat year on year. This number lagged analysts' expectations by 2.9%. It was a slower quarter as it also logged a miss of analysts’ revenue estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is down 2.9% since reporting and currently trades at $110.35.

Read our full, actionable report on Aflac here, it’s free.

Horace Mann Educators (NYSE: HMN)

Founded in 1945 and named after the 19th-century education reformer known as the "father of American public education," Horace Mann Educators (NYSE: HMN) is an insurance company that specializes in providing auto, property, life, and retirement products tailored for educators and other public service employees.

Horace Mann Educators reported revenues of $434.8 million, up 6.3% year on year. This result came in 2.5% below analysts' expectations. Overall, it was a softer quarter as it also recorded a significant miss of analysts’ book value per share estimates and a miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

The stock is down 5.7% since reporting and currently trades at $42.38.

Read our full, actionable report on Horace Mann Educators here, it’s free.

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